Cambinata Extravaganza

Annually, in spring time, Cambinata Yabbies celebrates the diversity and fabulous gourmet products of the Heartlands with the Cambinata Extravaganza. The Extravaganza features a silver service dinner – created using fabulous regional foods, including farmed abalone, lamb, beef, olives, and of course, yabbies. The meal is accompanied by fine regional wines, beer, soft drinks, and rain water. Ambient surrounds, live music and entertainment, and local and indigenous art displays complete the atmosphere.

The evening begins with a Mini Expo where visitors meet regional producers and artists, and may sample their fares and make purchases. From here, guests move into the magnificently presented shearing shed, complete with hand-crafted candelabras, candlelit chandeliers, art, wildflowers and baby grand piano. The large Nenke family welcome guests and make them feel as if they are joining the family for dinner, treating them to a multiple course meal in a unique setting. Guests are welcome to camp the night on the property and enjoy bacon and farm fresh eggs and milk for breakfast the next morning.

Cambinata Extravaganza 2016

On Saturday 8 October 2016, the Nenke family will host their twelfth Cambinata Extravaganza. The event is held in the shearing shed on the century old farm. This is no ordinary shearing shed, however, and no ordinary event. The venue is described by Journalist Jane Cornes as 'a cross between the enchantment of Aladdin's cave and Crocodile Dundee'. Vintage artefacts hang from the rafters complemented by hand crafted candelabras and candlelit chandeliers. Combined with our grand piano, our guests really do experience the 'wow factor!'

The evening is preceded by a mini expo where diners can meet and purchase from the regional producers of the fabulous foods and wines on the menu. The meal is fit for royalty! This year’s guest chef, Xavier Poupel, of Terroir & Table (based in the Great Southern region and originally from France), has prepared food for royalty, billionaires, political figures, and celebrities including the Aga Khan, Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis, Robert Redford and Prince Charles. Xavier has cooked aboard the private yachts of Princess Caroline of Monaco and the King of Saudi Arabia as well as worked as Private Chef for their majesties, King Abdullah and Queen Rania of Jordan and the Sultan of Brunei. His resume includes Executive chef in renowned kitchens around the world and now he is excited to be coming to Kukerin! Fuelled by his own strong food and family traditions, Xavier’s passion has long been Provincial-style cuisine. True to his French traditional leanings, his approach is simple: 'Quality seasonal produce first, with as little manipulation as possible: the idea is to enhance, not mask, natural flavours.'

Xavier will be accompanied by his friend and colleague, Eric Barlette, who was educated at the Montpellier Professional School of Cuisine, France. Xavier and Eric first met when Eric was Executive Chef for the Royal Family of Jordan and they are both looking forward to working together again at the Cambinata Extravaganza. Entertainment for this years Extravaganza will be headlined with international artist Minky G as well as by our ever popular resident pianist Cameron Evans. Each year guests camp in the adjoining paddock or stay in local accommodation. On Sunday morning, everyone is welcome to join the family for a barbecued breakfast and tour of the world class yabby establishment. Donations are collected for the Royal Flying Doctor.

Rich Keam, the winner of WA's ‘Best Jobs in the World’ Taste Master role, will be attending this year's Cambinata Extravaganza. Rich will be exploring the best experiences the Wheatbelt has to offer, and will share his experiences with the world via social media.

A flyer is available in pdf format. Tickets are $180 per person or $1750 for a table of ten. For more details or to make a booking, you can contact us here.

Our guests' responses

The Extravaganza is consistently applauded by many, including Brendon Grylls, MLA for Merredin, who wrote, “Well done on what would have to be the best night ever for promoting all we are about in the Heartlands. You have begun what will be a must-attend event for many years to come.” Click here to see more of what our guests have to say about us.